In Chatham Township, you can barely make a snow angel without bumping into an ordinance violation.

Specifically, there is Ordinance 2009-19 — the one that prohibits residents from shoveling snow onto their neighbors’ properties without permission.

In Roselle Park, residents or businesses who leave snow uncleared or throw it in the street face having public works employees clear it for them — and then getting charged for the labor.

And Newark prohibits residents from putting snow or ice in streets, with fines for the violation ranging from $100 to $1,000.

With two major snowstorms in the books for 2010 and more precipitation expected tomorrow, snow-weary New Jerseyans know better than ever they have little control over when the snow falls. Once it’s blanketed the ground, that’s a different story.

"I think people put snow wherever they like," said Jennifer Woodward, who was clearing the walkway in front of her home in Chatham last week.

Her husband had taken care of the driveway Wednesday, the snowblower creating a wall of white on both sides of the drive — one of which, she acknowledged, belonged to her neighbor.

Snow rules and regulations abound around the state, setting time limits on how long sidewalks can remain covered and where the snow can and can’t be shoveled.

Many towns have time limits, between 12 and 24 hours of daylight after the last flake falls, after which property owners must get snow off the sidewalks. Edison residents slow to shovel, for example, face a $250 fine if they wait 12 hours before removing snow. Somerville residents can be fined up to $1,250.

Bridgewater has an ordinance that calls for snow removal from sidewalks in 24 hours. Jim Naples, township administrator, says the township sends out a notification to homeowners after that point. He said it does call for a fine after that point, but it’s rarely, if ever, enforced.

"Ninety-nine percent of the time homeowners just comply with it," Naples said. "At least in the six years I’ve been here it’s never been enforced."

Some towns with snow ordinances say they aren’t out to fine residents, but instead want them to understand the need for swift removal of snow and ice.

Vehicles don’t get a free ride in snow-removal enforcement either. Last fall, then-Gov. Jon Corzine signed a bill that would allow law enforcement officers to ticket motorists with dangerous amounts of snow or ice accumulated on their cars.

The law, believed to be the first in the country, will go into effect later this year and is aimed at preventing ice and snow from flying off fast-moving vehicles and hitting other cars.

Still, when the governor declares a state of emergency, do all of these rules still apply?

"Safety is the issue," said William Dressel, executive director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. "There’s only so much space available."